Ireland, after two consecutive defeats, will look to captain Paul Stirling for inspiration as they seek their first victory against Oman in a T20 World Cup Group B match.
Australia, despite missing key pacers, are overwhelming favorites against Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener.
Pakistan completed a 2-0 triumph in the one-day international series against Ireland in Belfast, winning the second match by five wickets. Pakistan, chasing 239, won with eight balls to spare thanks mainly to half-centuries from Younis Khan (64) and Umar Akmal (60 not out).
Australia's 3-0 T20I whitewash by Pakistan has underlined the world champions' World Cup concerns, with Josh Hazlewood unlikely to be fit for the early matches, Pat Cummins admits.
Pakistan's cricket team is focusing on winning their remaining group games in the T20 World Cup to qualify for the Super Eight stage, despite off-field controversies and a boycott of the India match.
Calling for "hard decisions", former all-rounder Farveez Maharoof came down heavily on the team management and players, terming the side's performance 'hurtful' and 'shameful.'
Despite Zimbabwe's exit from the T20 World Cup, Brian Bennett's outstanding performance, including a valiant 97 n.o. against India, has been a major highlight.
Australia will aim to salvage pride against Oman in their final T20 World Cup match after a disappointing campaign marked by injuries and poor form.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh refused to comment on Pakistan's boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India, insisting the defending champions are focused solely on winning the tournament despite a series whitewash.
Entering most ICC events, especially T20 World Cups, as pre-tournament favourites, India could not break free from that prison of expectations on a number of occasions despite being armed with star power and depth.
Australia's title bid will be tested by injuries and Asian conditions at the T20 World Cup.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Kanishk Chouhan, and Henil Patel have been named in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Team of the Tournament after India's record-extending sixth title win.
South Africa begins their T20 World Cup campaign against Canada, while Zimbabwe faces Oman in another match. Both South Africa and Zimbabwe aim to make a strong impact in the tournament.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
A preview of Group D in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
A look at some of the major controversies in past World Cups.
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Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
A struggling, but promising South African unit will be aiming to avenge the heartbreak of 2024 by securing the grandest prize in T20I cricket on Indian soil, with the Proteas' 'Gen-Next' of Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kwena Maphaka in the spotlight.
Pratika Rawal along with left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma and seamer Kranti Gaud received their maiden long-format call-ups for the one-off Test against Australia.
Shafali Verma, whose blazing 87 and two key wickets powered the country to its maiden ICC Women's World Cup title, was named in the ICC Player of the Month shortlist for November.
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Daryl Mitchell becomes only the second player from New Zealand to hold the top the ICC ranking for ODI batters.
Mohammed Siraj's burst on the final day of the Test series against England helped India win in dramatic fashion to level the five-match series at 2-2.
United Arab Emirates became the 20th and last team to qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after beating Japan by eight wickets in the last Asia/EAP Qualifying game here on Thursday.
Mohammed Siraj's superb match-winning effort on the final day of the Test series against England that helped win The Oval Test match by six runs helped him clinch the award.
India are clubbed alongside Pakistan in Pool B in Junior Men's Hockey World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai.
Namibia beat Tanzania by 63 runs to become the first team from the African Qualifiers to secure a spot in the next year's T20 World Cup.
Set 183 for victory, Andrew Balbirnie produced a stunning knock to take Ireland over the line with five wickets and a ball to spare in front of a sell-out crowd.
Rajaneesh Gupta lists the amazing numbers that make Rohit Sharma one of the finest ODI batters of his time.
Pakistan qualified for the tournament in April this year.
Players from the other teams who could push the Men in Blue to the limit.
The team locked their spot in the global event with a game in hand by emphatically beating Canada, Bermuda and Argentina in the double round-robin Qualifier played in Rydal, Georgia.
'Scoring those half-centuries and winning the trophy for India is indeed special.'
Pakistan's Super 8 qualification chance hinges on winning big in their last two games against Canada and Ireland.
Scotland, veterans of six previous T20 World Cup editions, were the big losers, failing to secure their spot for the 20-team tournament, losing to Jersey who chased down 134 in a last-ball victory. But Scotland also needed Italy to win.
The Irish defeated Pakistan less than a month ago, and their propensity to surprise major opponents is something India should be concerned about.
A PCB official said due to time constraints between the ICC Champions Trophy and New Zealand tour, Aaqib Javed will continue as interim head coach.
Images from the T20 World Cup match between India and Ireland at New York, NY
Team India knows that it is a touch undercooked with a lot of confusion still persisting about what could be the best combination on a drop-in pitch.
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